GrandtFamily.com

Normal Tuesday. Jason at work. Melissa at work – although I had 3 meetings today, which is unusual! And made for a busy (and late!) day. Girls were at Nana’s house. They got to go shopping for stuff for Aunt Jenna’s shower.

I came home from work to the girls trying to brush Daddy’s hair – and “giving him shots to keep him healthy.”  Can you tell we just had Claire’s check-up, which involved some vaccinations?

While dinner was coming together, managed to snag some video of the girls praying with their new prayer sticks from FamilyLive! Unfortunately, what I got on video doesn’t really seem like they’re praying. I hadn’t acted fast enough to start when they were first praying. So, what you DON’T see is them thanking God for the beautiful weather, and to keep us all healthy, and then they start praying for their friends.  Both of them are very good at saying their prayers. I feel I have at least been teaching them something meaningful!

Dinner was some very interesting hamburgers made using a Kraft Fresh Take kit.  Good, but the cheese didn’t sit completely well with me, as is becoming “normal”. Both Maggie & Claire wanted “more”, which is unusual.  They normally will say “don’t like it.” for anything we make.

Michelle called as we were headed to bed. Looks like we’re going to have a house guest Friday night!

Ok, so remember how I was telling all of you about Mixbook the other day? And about how easy to use and awesome it is? Of course, you do.

Well, I just received notice that they’re having a sale on their custom cards.

Just like their photobook service, you can do cards and calendars on their site, too. And it’s the same editing interface as the photobooks, so you have the same flexibility, same everything.  Seriously – these are well done.  Their cards also have the option for you to print double-sided.   We received these from two different people this year and – let me tell you – these are high quality cards. The cardstock is of a heavier weight and they look professionally done.  My friends who sent them say they have received a ton of compliments on them.  We didn’t send Christmas cards this year (planning on Valentine’s cards instead), but Mixbook is definitely where I am planning to spend my money.

But what’s the sale? Save 30% off cards at Mixbook!  Ok, here are the details:  Between now and January 1st, 2012, you can save 30% off New Year’s and Thank You cards with coupon code CARDSAVE30  (code valid from December 29, 2011 04:00am PST until January 1, 2012 11:59pm PST. Cannot be combined with other coupons, vouchers, Groupons or applied after an order has been placed. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply. No adjustments on previous purchases).

Enjoy! These would make GREAT cards for Thank You cards throughout the year or if you want to maybe make a gift for next year. (I used scenic photos I had taken to make a pack of thank you cards for my husband’s grandmother one year. She loved them!).

DISCLOSURE: Some links in the above post are affiliate links.

Just finished another photobook on Mixbook.  This is by far the easiest site to use for digital scrapbooking. It does not require that you download any software, there are a ton of embellishments waiting for you to use. Or you can upload things you have purchased online (.png format) and use those.  Seriously. It can’t get any easier.  If you are so inclined, you can use an outside program and upload finished pages, but… it’s just not necessary.

And then the final product: awesome.  I now have an 11×8 hardcover book, stitch-bound (my criteria!) that will keep for years. My only critique is that I prefer a matte cover, instead of glossy. And you can’t combine coupon codes on your order.  [UPDATE March 27, 2012: Mixbook has now changed their binding to GLUE binding. And they did not tell their users when they made the switch!]

My latest project: a family history book for dummies. And those dummies would be my family. I wanted to create a book just about Our Direct Line. No residual descendants, etc. While I may want to know the names and dates of every generation, my brother does not. And I wanted to combine the genealogy research with the pictures I’ve gathered. Enter: a photobook.  And where do I go? My trusted Mixbook. Enjoy!

| Learn About Mixbook Photo Books | Create your own Photo Book

Melissa and I are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl: Claire Isabel. Born at 2:21 PM on March 18, 2010, weighing 6lb 5oz, and 18.5 inches long. Mother and baby doing fine… oh yea, dad’s good too.

~Jason, Melissa, Maggie and Claire Grandt

Click the image to see more:

Pictures form this year’s Easter…

Trailer:

Synopsis:
A Christian school football coach is in danger of losing his job because his team has had 6 consecutive losing seasons, not to mention his personal life is a shambles. But he finds comfort in the scriptures and uses it to teach his team that every aspect of your life is to be done for the glory of God. Along the way they learn that God has a hand in everything, even football.

My OPINION:
OK, first off – really BAD acting. Almost turned the movie off it was so bad. But as the film went off, I was able to see past it.

Once you got past the bad acting, it was a really good movie.

This is a very family-friendly movie. It is great for church groups to show. If you are not into “church-y” films or stories, this is not the film for you. But then, if you’re not, you probably wouldn’t have picked it up, or even heard of it to start with.

That being said, this film has a great message. A message that brought me to tears before the film was over. Nothing is impossible with God.

While the acting is mediocre (you’ll feel like you’re watching a high school production), and some of the scenes corny (I have never imagined a football coach quoting scripture on the practice field), the idea was heartfelt and moving. The planting of spiritual seeds. This movie is a great tool of ministry.

The title references the final game of the movie vs. the Richland Giants, a much bigger, much more talented team.  But the metaphor is greater: Facing the Giants. We all have giants and so does every person in this film, especially the coach.  He is having difficulty with his team players transferring to other schools; school with winning teams. He is facing possibly being fired.  His house is falling apart. His car needs jumper cables just to start every time he needs to go somewhere.  He is told by his doctor he will never father children with his wife.

But as he prays and begins to find his purpose, he sees God in every minute of his day.  And sees where prayers are being answered, even if the answer is “No.” Nothing is Impossible with God.

If you enjoyed family films like The Ultimate Gift, The Last Season, Fireproof or any of the Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly saga, you’ll really enjoy this. If feel-good movies make you run, or you are expecting high-action sports scenes with heart-racing music, don’t bother. Varsity Blues, The Replacements, or The Longest Yard are more to your taste.

An uneventful weekend, as Iowa weekends have gone lately.

Christmas Eve: Grandpa’s.  I forgot how crazy and loud and chaotic it is with the entire family there.  You have to shout to be heard by the person sitting next to you.  You need to guard your gifts to make sure that they don’t get caught up in someone else’s trash, b/c the wrapping paper is knee-deep.  But it’s family. And I do love being with family.  It was funny watching Maggie’s reaction, even though she’s only 3-months old. It was the first time she’d been with the Family and her eyes were so wide and she was trying to watch everything and take everything in. I think it was sensory overload for her!

Christmas: Mom & Dad’s.  Us kids bought Mom a new stove and surprised her fairly well with the gift. She had no idea and was just dumbfounded.  The little boys got new tipis from us and just adored them.  It was a toss up between those and their new Hot Wheels tracks as their favorite gifts.  Dinner was wonderful and it was nice to spend time with our immediate family.

Friday- day after: We did nothing! It was great. Sat in our pajamas all day watching movies (I had to work to finish another present though).

Saturday: Grandma’s.  Had a wonderful lunch with ham and potatoes and veggies et al.  No cottage cheese, though. Bad Grandma!   The family has grown and there are now 6 little great-grandchildren.  But it makes it so fun.  We had good conversation and just a warm, welcoming afternoon and evening.

Sunday: The Bears game and movies.  Watching FAcing the Giants (see next entry for review) and part of 27 Dresses.  I need to finish the 2nd one so I know how it ends.  Another lazy afternoon as we tried to consolidate our presents so they would fit in the car – didn’t make it! Some had to be left behind for another trip!  Or maybe Mom & Dad come visit us??  Got a late start home and had to stop a couple of times for Maggie.  Long trip, got in really late.